Trump calls Lesotho unknown while workers sew for America

IN A SWEET-ERING factory in Lesotho, rows of workers hunch over thrumming sewing machines churning out piles of what for the great majority of the country is President Donald Trump has mocked as unknown.

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But sportswear from US retail giant Walmart or blue jeans at the Afri-Expo Textile factory in Maseru is there is a half-decent chance it was stitched on the floor of this garment factory in the capital Maseru in size compared to global textile powerhouses.

Although modest in size compared to global textile powerhouses like Bangladesh and China, the tiny mountain kingdom’s clothing industry is the country’s largest employer with more than 35 000 workers, according to official data.

These workers are now fretting over their jobs after Trump this month called Lesotho “a country nobody has ever heard of” while defending his sweeping aid cuts.

“I was lost for words when I heard him speak. He thought we were useless to him,” Moratlou Matlala told AFP, a stream of sweat dripping from his face as he ironed grey denim at the Afri-Expo Textiles company.

The 33-year-old has worked at the company for 16 years in its largest stretch of steady employment.

Production manager Malealea Anny Motsamai was equally taken aback by Trump’s comments before the US Congress.